Meet Ashleigh Blanchard, Author of Love, Lies and Pregnancy

What inspired you to become an author?I have always wanted to become a writer. My dream as a young girl was to write books like Judy Bloome and Beverly Cleary. Books that told a great story but also taught you a life lesson. My inspiration for Love Lies and Pregnancy was my four daughters. I was a pregnant teen once and wanted to show my children that you can still follow your dreams despite the curveballs life throws at you.

How did you come up with the idea for Love, Lies and Pregnancy? The ideas came from my teen pregnancy and some of my friends who were also in the same situation at that time. I put all of our situations together and came out with the character Maddie Miller. I wanted to create a character that most teengers could relate too.

What do you think readers will remember most about your books? I think readers will remember the emotions and heartfelt situations Maddie has to go through in her life. Love Lies and Pregnancy is a young adult novel and I hope to show young girls the emotional stress being a pregnant teen includes. I would also like readers to remember the importance of family and friendship.

What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?My best advise would be to never give up. The publishing world is changing and it is becoming easier for writers to allow their stories to be told.

Are you currently working on other books? I am currently working on a young adult paranormal romance Katia's Stone. Katia's Stone is based in my hometown of Montegut, Louisiana. This is a story of two young loves who have a destiny to be together. You can readd the first four chapters on thebooktimes.com, which appears every Thursday. I am also working on the sequel to Love Lies and Pregnancy. I want to take my readers through the hardships of raising a child, studying for mid-terms and still having the ambition to graduate.